1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph. The play opens up with the overvoice of driving instructions followed by the sound of a key turning the ignition of a car. It's 1969 and Lil Bit sits in a car, uncomfortably being fondled by the character Peck, who is soon to be reviewed as her uncle. Lil Bit is almost 18 and about to graduate high school.
2. What is the intrusion? In terms of the jumbled up order of events told, the intrusion occurs when Li’l Bit first starts expressing her discomfort with the relationship. In comparison to my dramatic question of what will happen to the relationship between the two, this intrusion would spark the idea that this relationship may not turn out the way Uncle Peck wants it to.
3. What is the unique factor? Today is the day Li’l Bit tells the story of how she learned to drive by her infatuated Uncle Peck. She relives her story starting at 11 years old, but what makes this play even more interesting is the structure of it. Rather than Li’l Bit starting with her youngest age and going through each year as she gets older, the author instead approaches it out of order to make the viewer understand the dynamics and emotions throughout the play.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play? What will happen to the relationship between Peck and Li’l Bit?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it. 1. Information known to all or most of the characters: That Peck and Li’l Bit are related (not blood), Li’l bit is about to to turn 18, the names and the meanings of their nicknames 2. Information known only to one character: There are suspicions by other characters throughout the play, but for the most part Li’l Bit is the only one who knows about Peck’s feelings and actions towards her.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be. Possibly one of the biggest moments is when Li’l Bit fully says no to Uncle Peck. It's a heated and emotionally strained moment that completely changes the outcome of the play. Another theatrical moment could be the final scene. Even with such few lines, it wraps up and explains exactly what is going on in Li’l Bit’s mind, which is something we don't fully understand until this moment.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Names: In Peck's family, names are given based on one’s genitalia. It's ironic that the family is so open about the subject, yet Lil Bit doesn't ever feel comfortable enough to tell any of her family about what's going on. We only get to know the characters by this “title”, which takes away the idea of their own identity and instead makes people only based on their sex. Additionally, some family, like her grandmother, think she's too young to talk about.
Forgiveness: This is possibly the biggest lesson learned from the play that Li’l Bit hopes the audience will better understand by the end.
Growing Up: Uncle Peck didn't just teach her how to drive, he is there for Li’l Bit’s entire upbringing. This story follows her as she goes through different stages of her life while following hardships not just with Uncle Peck, but also learning how to drive, other family, college, etc.
8. Choose the character of Li'l Bit in the show and articulate what she wants and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants? Li’l Bit wants to have more structure in her life. Even through telling this story, she doesn't tell it in order. She has full control over it and is able to portray her story as she wants. However, her entire life story leading up involves her younger self struggling to control and react to her Uncle Peck. He is her obstacle, and her emotions that follow are things she has to sort through with the manipulated words of Uncle Peck that she's had since she was 11.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.Images
Fishing: Uncle Peck’s favorite activities are fishing and taking pictures. He explains awhile back to cousin Bobby that fishing is a sport of patience. Uncle Peck also explains to Li’l Bit that he is a patient man and can wait for her to be more comfortable around him. Fishing is a symbol for Peck’s calculated actions and “soft side” as he tries to convince the kids that he will wait for them until they are comfortable.
Traffic Lights/Roads: Li’l Bit is stuck between crossroads. She has to make the decision and, in my opinion, she drives the right way (not being with her Uncle). In this way, she did learn to say “no”. Traffic lights are an image of stop and go. They help reflect how Li’l Bit is stuck at a red light at points, but by the end of the story she’s driving on green, free to go wherever and whenever she pleases.
The play’s title has to do with how Li’l Bit learned how to drive from her uncle. For most, learning how to drive is a very liberating moment. It allows one to be an independent, and is usually associated with approaching adulthood.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play. Family is an interesting concept in this play. For a long time in the play, it's unsure whether Li’l Bit will actually be with Uncle Peck, but in the end it is clear that family matters most to Li’l Bit. Even if that means she doesn't visit them for years after, she decides that her aunt and the relationship she has towards her family is much more important.
Another note is that Peck is the one she feels she can most connect and talk to with. Whenever she gets upset, it's Uncle Peck the family sends to help her.
The play opens up with the overvoice of driving instructions followed by the sound of a key turning the ignition of a car. It's 1969 and Lil Bit sits in a car, uncomfortably being fondled by the character Peck, who is soon to be reviewed as her uncle. Lil Bit is almost 18 and about to graduate high school.
2. What is the intrusion?
In terms of the jumbled up order of events told, the intrusion occurs when Li’l Bit first starts expressing her discomfort with the relationship. In comparison to my dramatic question of what will happen to the relationship between the two, this intrusion would spark the idea that this relationship may not turn out the way Uncle Peck wants it to.
3. What is the unique factor?
Today is the day Li’l Bit tells the story of how she learned to drive by her infatuated Uncle Peck. She relives her story starting at 11 years old, but what makes this play even more interesting is the structure of it. Rather than Li’l Bit starting with her youngest age and going through each year as she gets older, the author instead approaches it out of order to make the viewer understand the dynamics and emotions throughout the play.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
What will happen to the relationship between Peck and Li’l Bit?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
1. Information known to all or most of the characters: That Peck and Li’l Bit are related (not blood), Li’l bit is about to to turn 18, the names and the meanings of their nicknames
2. Information known only to one character: There are suspicions by other characters throughout the play, but for the most part Li’l Bit is the only one who knows about Peck’s feelings and actions towards her.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
Possibly one of the biggest moments is when Li’l Bit fully says no to Uncle Peck. It's a heated and emotionally strained moment that completely changes the outcome of the play. Another theatrical moment could be the final scene. Even with such few lines, it wraps up and explains exactly what is going on in Li’l Bit’s mind, which is something we don't fully understand until this moment.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
8. Choose the character of Li'l Bit in the show and articulate what she wants and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
Li’l Bit wants to have more structure in her life. Even through telling this story, she doesn't tell it in order. She has full control over it and is able to portray her story as she wants. However, her entire life story leading up involves her younger self struggling to control and react to her Uncle Peck. He is her obstacle, and her emotions that follow are things she has to sort through with the manipulated words of Uncle Peck that she's had since she was 11.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.Images
- Fishing: Uncle Peck’s favorite activities are fishing and taking pictures. He explains awhile back to cousin Bobby that fishing is a sport of patience. Uncle Peck also explains to Li’l Bit that he is a patient man and can wait for her to be more comfortable around him. Fishing is a symbol for Peck’s calculated actions and “soft side” as he tries to convince the kids that he will wait for them until they are comfortable.
- Traffic Lights/Roads: Li’l Bit is stuck between crossroads. She has to make the decision and, in my opinion, she drives the right way (not being with her Uncle). In this way, she did learn to say “no”. Traffic lights are an image of stop and go. They help reflect how Li’l Bit is stuck at a red light at points, but by the end of the story she’s driving on green, free to go wherever and whenever she pleases.
The play’s title has to do with how Li’l Bit learned how to drive from her uncle. For most, learning how to drive is a very liberating moment. It allows one to be an independent, and is usually associated with approaching adulthood.10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family is an interesting concept in this play. For a long time in the play, it's unsure whether Li’l Bit will actually be with Uncle Peck, but in the end it is clear that family matters most to Li’l Bit. Even if that means she doesn't visit them for years after, she decides that her aunt and the relationship she has towards her family is much more important.
Another note is that Peck is the one she feels she can most connect and talk to with. Whenever she gets upset, it's Uncle Peck the family sends to help her.